Kindle Fire: My Initial Review

I caved to peer pressure (haha) and bought my 3rd Kindle product—a Kindle Fire. I knew, functionally, it would be a cross between my current 2nd Gen Kindle, my iPhone, and my husband’s iPad. I’ve had it for about a week and a half, and while I don’t have it fully set up yet (I don’t have email activated and no additional apps), I’m enjoying it immensely.

Here’s what I’m using it for: I’ve transferred most of my (allowable) iTunes library to it. I spent a decent amount of time researching how to do this until I poked around and discovered I could do it through Amazon’s Cloud (duh!). I love the free content that comes with my Amazon Prime subscription. I’ve watched a couple free movies on it (Clockwork Orange and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), some free TV shows on it (early episodes of Arrested Development I hadn’t seen) and a Louis C.K. comedy special. The video is surprisingly clear and smooth.

I have not read any books on it yet (though I haven’t read a book on my regular Kindle since I got the Fire either–too busy!), but when I briefly pulled up one of my books on the device, I immediately noticed it reads nothing like my trusty Kindle 2—I missed the E-ink. It was like reading a book on my computer screen except with more glare. My husband thinks I could adjust the brightness and that would help, but I haven’t tried that yet. Regardless, I doubt I’ll give up reading on my regular Kindle anytime soon.

I can access Facebook and enjoy seeing it on my Kindle Fire much more than on my iPhone because my screen is bigger. I can also access Hootsuite, and though I haven’t done it yet, there is a program that will allow me to read Word documents that are emailed to me, which would be nice for travelling.

This is a great, portable entertainment device. I sometimes sprawl out on my bed and watch a movie on it in peace, or I can see it being a great device for business travel (great way to kill time on a plane with a pair of headphones) or personal car travel (I could download some movies and allow my kids to use it or myself if I’m not driving). I don’t think it’s as versatile or powerful as my husband’s iPad, but so far, I expect it will fit my needs and get a lot of use. I like the small, portable size. If I need something more powerful, I’ll have to pack my laptop.

For those of you who have a Kindle Fire: What do you use it for most?

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Book Review: You Know Your Way Home by Suzanne Jauchius

Some parts of this book were very gripping and extremely well-written. Others, unfortunately, were so “woe is me” that I couldn’t identify with the “character” (Suzanne) and I felt like important information was being shielded from the reader. I had a lot of unanswered questions, which I will spare you from here due to the spoiler aspect. When writing a memoir, I think transparency (or lack thereof) is very apparent and important.

There’s no question that Suzanne had a difficult upbringing and a crazy mother who affected her ability to form healthy relationships with people. And though I’m not a huge believer in psychics, Suzanne’s stories had me convinced.

I was spellbound almost to the halfway mark of the book, where Suzanne fell into the traditional memoir formula of starting therapy and reaching a deeper understanding of herself. Unfortunately, Suzanne comes across as completely self absorbed–caught up in her own healing to the exclusion of everything else. She spends years in therapy and groups, spends time at an Indian sweat lodge, and focuses almost exclusively on her own recovery. By the end of the book, the thing I cheered for most was that Suzanne that she finally found some peace in her occupation.

3 stars. More stories about her psychic experiences and the lives of the people she touched, disclosure about how her children were affected by her choices Suzanne made, and admission of her own role in the problems she experienced would have gained more stars for this book.

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What are you afraid of? Release your manuscript!

Recently I had an email exchange with a client. She’s been stuck at the same spot in her process (book is edited, layout complete, just a few more details and it’s ready to go) for about 6 months. That prompted the discussion of “Well, what are you afraid of?” Granted, releasing a book out to the world is a scary proposition. So today, I will try to allay some common fears:

  • Are you afraid your book is not good enough? (it is!)
  • Are you afraid that someone might find something wrong in it, whether it’s a typo or a minor layout flaw or even a fact in the book that is somewhat questionable? (they quite well might. It happens a lot but so what?)
  • Are you afraid some people who read it won’t like it or find it useful? (that happens too sometimes, you can’t please everyone, but you will please a LOT of people).
  • Are you afraid that it won’t sell? (that is largely dependent on how successful you are spreading the word about your book. If you can’t do it yourself, I can help with marketing.)
  • Are you afraid it WILL sell and your business will take off so fast you will soon become overwhelmed and stressed? (Well, it might, but you can manage that when it happens and really, what a good problem to have!)

So, what are you waiting for? You can do it! If you need any help, let me know!

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Changing Straight Quotes to Curly Quotes (and vice versa)

Every once in a while I’ll get a manuscript that has straight quotes in it when I want curly quotes. It’s extremely labor intensive to manually change them all, so recently I researched how to make the changes throughout the whole Microsoft Word 2007 document rather than one at a time.

Here’s the process: Office (window graphic) button>Word options>Proofing>Autocorrect options>autoformat>replace menu>straight quotes with smart quotes (check box).

Then you go into “Replace” in the edit menu. In the find box, type a quotation mark. In the replace box, type a quotation mark. Select “Replace all”. Then do the same for a single quotation mark. Voila! Takes a minute and saves a ton of time!

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Accepting book review requests-my queue is empty!

At one point not too long ago, I had a waiting list of books lined up to review. But alas, my review requests have trickled to a halt. Hmm, I find this puzzling because I also see authors lamenting that it is hard to find reviewers to give honest and thoughtful reviews of their books. So I’m putting the word out there that I’m available.

So, send me your pitch! I can’t guarantee I will agree to read your book, but you increase your odds if your book falls into the following genres (in no particular order): memoirs, biographies, romances (romantic erotica is okay), some self-help, and business books geared for the self-employed (topics like marketing, networking, etc.). I will also review select non-fiction titles about secondary education issues and/or non-technical books about learning disabilities (I occasionally guest teach in secondary learning support/special education classrooms).

Update 11/1/11: One thing that I will be evaluating is how polished your book is. If you have not had your book professionally edited, please don’t pitch me until you do! Also, I’m starting to get a lot of requests. To keep them manageable, please be sure to put “Book Review Request” in your subject line. When I finish a book and need another book to review, I will respond to you and see if my time frame still works for you. And finally, let me know if your book is available in a Kindle compatible file. That’s my preference over a paperback.

Want to brush up your skills on what to expect with book reviewers? Check out my blog post from last summer. Happy pitching!

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Book Review: Painting by Numbers by David Thyssen

Seth Mason, on the surface, had everything going for him: he was a good looking, intelligent kid, had plenty of money and was highly intelligent. On the flip side, he was largely ignored by his parents, struggling with mental health issues, constantly harassed by his schoolmates’ taunting and consumed by insecurity about his size and his confusing sexual identity. Put quite simply, Seth didn’t know how to fit into the world around him.

This story is a dark psychological thriller. I almost decided not to get this book based on other reviews but I was glad I read it. The story is compelling, rings true, and makes you want to keep turning the page. Unfortunately, though this is fiction, I expect there are many “Seths” in the world.

The language, the themes of self destruction, defying authority, sexual escapades and mentally disturbed inner dialogue make this book definitely an adult read. When the story goes into the flashback early in the book, Seth is in 8th grade and 14 years old. He almost seems to have more mature thoughts than the average 8th grader I’ve known, so I had to keep reminding myself that he was younger than he “sounded” as the narrator. There were also a few sections where I noticed some editing problems, but it was not so severe that it turned me off from reading the book.

Don’t miss the author’s note at the end of the book about how he came to write this book. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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Your online author presence: don’t be afraid to speak your mind

Recently I was on a phone consult with an author who wanted to talk to me about my author virtual assistant services and how I might be able to help him with book promotion. He has a few traditionally published books under his belt but would probably not be considered a commercial success yet. He wants to increase book sales and his reputation, but there’s a caveat: He is very hesitant to post written material online because he is afraid of offending someone and afraid how he will be perceived. I’ve read some of his books—they’re very good and his characters have a strong voice, but there must be something about posting in his own voice that produces that hesitation and fear.
Online marketing can be very effective for authors—but it also requires a thick skin, knowing that not everyone will agree with you or like what you say. But many will, and those are the people who you’re going after. Readers want to connect with their authors. So go ahead and speak your mind. Blog, promote it with social media, comment on other blogs, create some audio or video recordings, get people to your website, send out a newsletter…connect, connect, connect. Not everyone is your target market. But if you’re not “out there” and visible, those readers you want to connect with won’t have a chance of finding you, let alone buy your books.

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Be the Change 2012: I’m going, are you?

While in Las Vegas at Accelerate! Live last week, I heard about this event, Be The Change. One of my favorite people in the world (and coincidentally, my bookkeeper), Candy Beauchamp of OffAssist saw Suzanne Evans speak at another event and raved about her. When Candy mentioned she wanted to attend Be The Change, I thought, hmm, it’s in late March in Orlando (way warmer than Central Pennsylvania), and I trust Candy’s judgment that it will be worthwhile–I’m in! I’m sure the event will be fabulous and I’m hoping to make some great author connections there. Are you going? Comment on this blog post, give me your contact info, and maybe we can meet up during a lunch or break while we’re there!

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In writing, just like baggage, less is often more.

Back when I was the marketing/PR director for IVAA, I travelled quite a bit in a short span of time. As a result, I got much more efficient at packing. I learned to roll my clothes rather than fold them. I dared to pare down my shoes to as few pairs as possible. And each time I flew, my suitcase got lighter. But the one thing I didn’t seem to learn was how to simplify was my carry-ons. My computer bag was weighed down by my widescreen laptop, a leather portfolio, my purse, my Kindle, various chargers, etc.

Fast forward to my flight last week, 2+ years later when attending Accelerate Live. I traded in my big, heavy widescreen laptop for my husband’s Netbook ( which he has abandoned along with his Kindle in favor of an iPad) and borrowed his very small satchel bag for it. By now only carrying the small satchel (with the laptop and my Kindle stashed inside) and my purse, traipsing across airports is much, much easier. Yet again, I’ve asked myself, “What’s the minimum I can get away with?” Sometimes less is more…more comfortable and more practical.

Years ago, I used to pack more info into blog posts and marketing articles, but I’ve watched the length of pieces of written content shrink just like my number on the airport baggage scale. Readers want to see what you’ve written, digest it, and move on. So, lighten it up: narrow down your focus, cut away extraneous material, and remember you can always save some of your great content for the next time.

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The 5 Steps of Writing

The Five Steps to Writing

My older son (6th grade) came home from school yesterday and said he got a point for his group because he was able to study the 5 steps of writing and then recite them to the teacher without any prompts. I asked him what they were and this is the list he gave me:

  1. Prewriting
  2. Writing
  3. Rewriting
  4. Editing
  5. Final Draft

Curious to hear his answer, I asked him to explain the difference between rewriting and editing. His answer? “Rewriting is majorly revising your writing and editing is just fixing the small stuff.”

I think back to all those papers I wrote in college and cringe at my writing method. Here it was: I’d write a rough draft, make a few edits, and type the final draft on my state-of-the-art, 6-line word processor (hey, this was in the late 80′s/early 90′s). I’d start writing 10 page papers two nights before they were do and, by some miracle that didn’t extend to my pre-calculus class assignments, I usually scored at least an A-.

It took me until I got out into the “real world” that I began to see the necessity of rewriting, and how much time and painstaking effort it takes until your writing drafts are ready to go to the “finding the small stuff” process. Sometimes you have to delete a whole paragraph and start again, hoping the thoughts and cadence of your language will be spot-on this time. You may have to move whole sections around, delete material, add material, change your format, etc. Sometimes it’s hard to stop because it seems there is always room for improvement. Just think, if I had done this more in college, it could have meant the difference between an A- and an A+.

I’d love to hear your thoughts: As an author, what challenges do you encounter during the rewriting phase and how do you know when your writing is ready to move from the Rewriting step to the Editing step?

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